The family of 'dedicated keeper of Steephill Cove', Dave Wheeler, are paying tribute to him, following his death at the age of 96.

Dave passed away on January 1, 2024, in the same house as he was born in. 

He was brought up in the cove and, as a father-of-three, watched his children and five grandchildren grow up there, too.

At 17, he volunteered to join the Navy and spent two and a half years on the HMS Cavalier, which was built at J. Samuel White's on the Island.

His family said he saved lives and nearly lost his own in the Far Eastern and Atlantic waters.

After returning to the Island, he worked in Ventnor where he manned the beach, deckchairs and took people out on boat trips.

He was also a volunteer for the Auxiliary Coastguard for 33 years and for seven years he worked as a driver on the buses.

In 1971, he took over from his retired father William who was longshoreman.

Dave, along with generations of his family, were also involved with The Crab Shed. 

He continued to fish for crab and lobster into his 70s.

Dave will be fondly remembered by most as ‘dedicated keeper of the cove'.